Irish galloper Gordon Lord Byron has upstaged some of Australia’s best weight-for-age sprinter-milers to win the $1 million George Ryder Stakes.

Coming from midfield for jockey Craig Williams, Gordon Lord Byron ($19) finished strongly along the inside to beat Speediness ($26) at Rosehill on Saturday.

New Zealand three-year-old El Roca ($7) took the minor placing after leading.

Gordon Lord Byron is one of two international horses competing at a revamped Sydney autumn carnival.

“I said jokingly a couple of months ago my plan for him this year was to win a Group One in Australia, one in Asia, one in Europe and one in America,” trainer Tom Hogan said.

“So we’ve got the first one. He’s a proper horse.”

Williams settled Gordon Lord Byron between runners before switching course towards the rails at the 200m.

Gordon Lord Byron responded bravely and his win forced bookmakers to cut his quote for Saturday week’s Doncaster Mile.